2010 Montgomery Green Democrats Questionnaire
County Race Questions
1. Proponents of the ICC gave the following justifications for it's being built:
- It will provide a quick route to commuters without making them travel all the way down to route 495 and back out again, thereby reducing emissions and saving gas.
- It will give better access to a nearby airport.
- It will relieve congestion on local roads.
- It will shorten commutes so we can spend more time with our families.
The same arguments could be made to build the Techway through the Agricultural Reserve and making a second crossing over the Potomac.
If you are in favor of the ICC can we assume you will favor building the Techway through the Ag Reserve?
If not, why are these same arguments invalid?
If you are against the ICC, what solutions do you suggest to solve the problems proponents claim are solved by building new roads?
2. Describe a feasible government program for purifying city tap water to bring it to the level of bottled water.
3. Despite the extensive availability of taxpayer-funded curbside recycling programs, beverage containers litter our roadsides, streets, river banks, and other spaces. Do you support a beverage-container deposit law?
4. Do you favor increasing the funding dedicated to the enforcement of environmental laws? If so, how would you raise those funds? Also, what steps would you take to make sure the laws were being enforced?
5. How can we best preserve Montgomery County's dwindling open space and keep wooded areas and farms from being converted into housing and other developed areas?County Council At-Large
1. L28 I do not support extending the Inter County Connector beyond Sam Eig Highway and do not support another bridge over the Potomac in Montgomery County.
1. M42 The ICC was on the county’s master plans for forty years and communities were planned
to accomodate it; it was always assumed for calculating densities and mobility needs
throughout the County. On the other hand, a techway concept has never even been
broached, much less considered through community input. I have never supported a
techway or second bridge crossing in Montgomery County and will not do so in the future.
1. N36 I've always opposed the ICC. These road projects cost billions of dollars. The money spent on the ICC could have built the CCT, the Purple Line, been used for numerous intersection improvements and funded a Bus Rapid Transit system. If roads are the answer, the only thing we'll ever build is roads since they will consume all available transportation dollars. I support expanding transit by building an extensive network of BRT. The network would take cars off the road, provide congestion relief, reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled and CO2 emissions, and a transit link to the new Dulles line could connect people to the airport without cars. And if road building actually solved anything, Los Angeles would be heaven.
1. P86 I believe five decades of the ICC fight should be behind us, and that we need to learn from the past, look forward and work to assure smart growth occurs in Montgomery County’s future. A genuine smart growth strategy focuses on jobs and housing in mixed-use, transit-oriented communities, located around planned transit stations and in town centers. I have no interest in building a Techway through the Ag Reserve.
1. Q25 I do not support building the Techway. Policies rewarding long-distance
auto commuters at the expense of our local communities must end. We
need to ensure residents have ample alternatives to driving for all their
basic needs.
• Our first priority must be to restore Metro's position
as a superior transit system. It is the backbone of our
economy in Montgomery County.
• We need a council that will fight tenaciously for the
Purple Line to get it through the state and federal funding
processes.
• It is time for the County to take responsibility for getting
the CCT built using financing mechanisms that don't
require waiting for a Federal approval process.
• We must do everything possible to maintain RideOn Bus
service levels. Buses are not a peripheral service, they are
a core priority.
• I'm excited to see the growing interest in rapid routes. As a
strong transit advocate, I will help move this vision forward.
1. R57 I am not in favor of building the Techway. Since the ICC is under construction, I believe we should encourage the development of BWI to be a more viable alternative to Dulles. I support
the Purple Line and CCT and expansion of and improvement to our bus network as well as
efforts to increase telecommuting opportunities and to ensure redevelopment projects are
designed to promote mixed use and walkability.
1. S59 No, I was not in favor of building the ICC, primarily because of fiscal, development
and public health concerns. Nor am I in favor of building a Techway through the
Agricultural Reserve that would only create pressure for new development.
Governments should always prioritize, but especially during troubled fiscal times,
Montgomery County and the state and federal governments should focus their
transportation dollars first on mass transit - specifically in Montgomery County,
on the Purple Line, the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT), Metro, Ride-On, and a
county-wide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. BRT could alleviate much
congestion if implemented on Rockville Pike (Route 355), Colesville Road (Route
29), Viers Mill Road, and other major corridors.
2. M42 The water experts actually tell us that WSSC water is more reliably cleaner than bottled
water.
2. N36 This is beyond my expertise. I don't know the costs or practicality of any technology to achieve the purity of bottled water and I don't know any system that has achieved it. Instinctively, I'd start by reducing source point pollution because the less that goes into the water, the less that has to be removed. You'd have to deal with agricultural and urban run-off and the "how" of dealing with those problems would dictate components of any purification system.
2. P86 I wish I had more experience in this field, but I do not, and I welcome the opportunity to learn more. My reading on this only raises concern that consumers are purchasing bottled water that in fact may not be as pure as some public water systems. Further, the environmental impacts of the plastic bottles is significant and equally worth examination.
2. Q25 It depends on which bottled water you are talking about. Some
tap water is already safer than bottled water -- which has
less inspection than some municipal water. However, I fully
support modernizing the rules for what chemicals are allowed
in our drinking water. It concerns me greatly that we have not
updated the chemicals we test for even as new pollutants have
entered our drinking water.
2. R57 Approximately 25% of bottled water is simply tap water. According to NRDC, bottled water is not necessarily purer than tap water because bottled water does not have to meet standards for bacterial contamination or other chemicals. The best ways to ensure that our tap water remains safe is to keep the water supply clean through protecting the watershed with good environmental design practices and storm water management, reducing usage of and following proper disposal instructions for household waste, and funding life cycle replacements of our water system.
Bottled water also bears the additional burden of having to be transported from source to use,
usually using carbon based fuels, as well as of manufacturing the bottles.
2. S59 It has been well-studied and is well-known in the public health community that the
average quality of commercially available bottled water is no better than that of a
good municipal system like ours. Of course, bottled water as a commodity is
incredibly wasteful and ecologically unsound. The energy and transportation
costs of bottled water are completely unnecessary and packaging in non-reusable
bottles is problematic.
As someone with a background in public health, I understand the importance of
maintaining the highest quality of public drinking water. However, we must
continue to support adequate levels of funding for the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission (WSSC) so the agency can replace its aging pipes and
continue to monitor overall water quality.
2. L28 WSSC assures the public that tap water is safe and I have no reason to think that bottled water is any safer.
3. N36 I like beverage container deposit laws. You'd have to see how it worked with current recycling because we get a fairly high portion of the waste stream. If people had to bring all bottles back, what would the economics be of curb-side recycling? Would all returned containers go to the County recycling center, if not, what would that do to the economics of the our programs? Should we require all recyclable containers pay a deposit (beverage or otherwise) be subject to a fee and returned to the store, and then pick up recycling direct from stores (and give them a cut of the fee?) It's a complex problem and I'm not sure if the answer is clear. Would it be cheaper to pay people to cleanup roadsides and parks and recycle what they pick up?
3. P86 If a beverage-container tax’s impact has demonstrated results in reduction of litter, it should be considered. I believe all communities impacted by laws and taxes should be included in a decision of this sort. I am unwilling to impose new taxes until the Montgomery County structural deficit has been resolved and government has been right-sized.
3. Q25 I absolutely support a container deposit law, but I believe this is something
that should be enacted at the state level so that there is uniformity across
the state. As a County Council member, I will lead collaboration between
the Council and our key partners such as the County Executive, State
Delegation, and regional governments.
3. R57 I believe that there are many steps we could take to encourage recycling of beverage containers that could greatly reduce the amount of recyclable materials that are commingled with trash or end up as litter that would be more effective and less costly than a beverage container deposit law. In my experience, there are many times that there are no recycling containers available, only containers for trash, or no bins at all. I have spoken with several commercial and residential tenants that have limited or no opportunities for recycling beverage containers nor for recyclable paper in their building or office. Multi-family residential sites have the lowest recycling rates in the county and this should be an area of focus. Our public schools have only recently begun designing space for recycling receptacles.
3. S59 At this time I believe we must keep working to expand Montgomery County's
aggressive curbside recycling program. If some people are not responsible
enough to adopt the easy solution of separating their trash into recyclable and
non-recyclable material when the county is providing bins for that purpose, they
are not likely to return bottles for a nickel. However, I do support such a deposit
law, because we have a growing problem with litter in green spaces. This policy
might produce additional health and environmental benefits and is worth
implementing for those reasons.
I am especially gratified by groups like Friends of Sligo Creek and Friends of Rock
Creek's Environment who conduct annual "creek" sweeps to collect bottles and
trash. I am concerned that we are not doing enough to dissuade restaurants and
public facilities, including our own school system, from using Styrofoam cups and
dishes.
3. L28 I would support a beverage container deposit law.
3. M42 Not paricularly. When I have inquired, I’ve been told that the environmental benefits of
such efforts have been mixed. I think it would be better to clearly require more public
roadside and community based recycling opportunities, as I’ve seen in European countries.
4. P86 I would like to see funding available for education about the environment. I believe until we win the “hearts and minds” of our residents as to the critical purpose for protecting the environment, we face an uphill battle. As I stated previously, I am unwilling to impose new taxes or fees until the Montgomery County structural deficit has been resolved and government has been right-sized. Part of right-sizing should include a review of how we protect our environment.
4. Q25 I do favor increasing funds for environmental protection in order to
meet our county's objectives for sustainability. In this difficult budget
environment I cannot readily foresee how to raise new funds, however
I will certainly do everything possible and will work to not diminish
existing funds. I will work with stakeholders to identify any problem
areas with enforcement and hold enforcement agencies accountable.
4. R57 I favor enforcement of environmental laws but would like more information about the current level of enforcement in the county as well as rates of repeat violations before determining whether we need more funding. Funding levels for the Department of Environmental Protection were increased for FY11. If in future years I felt the department needed more funding I would likely support general funds as very little of the Department’s funding comes from fines and fees. There are some federal grants available for the development and implementation of
environmental protection plans and the county should pursue these if appropriate. Education is
an important first step in enforcement as is a reliable inspection program.
4. S59 Frankly, it is difficult in our fiscal environment to use our limited tax revenues to
increase spending on any program, so I would fall back on the principle that "the
polluter pays." The Council took one of those steps this year by passing a carbon
emissions tax on a coal-fired plant operating in the county. I would also consider
other targeted taxes to increase funding for environmental enforcement,
specifically the use of the energy tax. This might be an option once we enter more
stable economic times.
4. L28 I am not able to promise increased funding for any county program at this point because of our revenue forecasts but I will certainly support increased environmental enforcement staffing in the future.
4. M42 Fines for viiolation of environmental requirements have been increased over the years
and we are improving notice and education to the community about what is and what is not
permitted. One of the big problems has been lack of clarity and consistency in requirements
and enforcement - that is getting better through increased oversignt and public attention.
4. N36 Right now, there's no money to increase funding, but funding isn't the impediment to enforcement. I've been pushing for greater enforcement of codes and have had some success. A lot of the problem is attitude on the part of enforcing agencies. Park and Planning is changing their enforcement system and it may improve things, and in the forest preservation law I'm proposing, we rely on fees to fund programs that will be operated by non-profits to ensure that trees are properly planted and maintained.
5. Q25 Our county's greenspace is a great economic asset. A recent
Washington Post article pointed out the economic contribution
of the Agricultural Reserve. Montgomery County is the only
county in the region which still has the ability to produce a
substantial amount of agricultural output, and growing demand
for locally-grown food (which is more healthy for our families
and our environment) makes protecting the Ag Reserve more
important than ever. According to the article, "[a]griculture
contributes more than $243 million annually to the county
economy, and local farms employ more than 10,000 residents."
We should not continue policies that promote conversion of
green space/farms into cul-de-sac communities; we must
support multi-family housing on transit. Transit-oriented
development promotes environmentally sustainable economic
growth.
Sustainable growth, both socially and environmentally,
is the only way our county can continue to be the center
for quality jobs and government services it is today.
5. R57 I support the continued existence of the Agricultural Reserve and know that aside from the Reserve only about 4% of our county’s land area is undeveloped. We should be encouraging
the redevelopment of areas around transit and expanding and strengthening our transit systems.
Redevelopment projects can also bring improvements in storm water management as many
existing developments have large areas of impervious surfaces with little or no storm water
management capability due to the age of the development. Recent changes to the BLT process
show promise in reducing the amount of allowable development in the Agricultural Reserve.
Commodity crop agriculture in the County generally provides a good living, but CSA, which is
a less economically viable model, is better at making residents feel connected to the Ag Reserve
which in turn makes them more likely to support the Reserve. The County should play a stronger
role in facilitating CSA.
5. S59 The County Council must remain dedicated to preserving the county's Agricultural
Reserve and county parks and green spaces from encroachment by development.
The White Flint sector plan approved by the Council this year is an example of
how the county can integrate residential and commercial development around
transit centers while still preserving open space. The County Council must strive
to work collaboratively with the civic and environmental communities, to secure a
sensible, balanced approach in any future development and re-development
projects. The entire community must be engaged, early and often.
5. L28 I believe we must protect our Agricultural Reserve forever and that once county land is acquired for park use, it should never be developed.
5. M42 At this point about half the County is permanently preserved in open space, through
easements and outright public ownesrhip. We will continue to expand the amount of land in
public preservation through the use of ALARF funds. The Building Lot Termination program
should help in further keeping agricultural land in agriculture use by essentially transferring
remaining density rights into more urban areas. We also need to continue to work with the
farming community to help them be successful and keep them and their families on the land.
Most importantly, we will not expand the sewer envelope.
5. N36 We start with the AG reserve. I'd support lowering densities in "dumb-growth" areas as a corollary to permitting higher densities in Smart Growth areas. The zoning density is the key and the less density permitted, the less erosion of open space we'll see. Farms in the Ag Reserve really are largely protected and will stay that way because of the laws we have in place. A forest preservation bill basically seeks to achieve no net loss of forest when property is developed.
5. P86 My vision for Montgomery County over the next 50 years re-imagines a county no longer focused on a sprawling 1950’s suburban bedroom community, but recognizing our future rests in establishing urban density for jobs and housing around our transits centers. I envision parks, trails and green space which make density inviting and livable. I fully endorse the maintaining the Ag Reserve. I believe organizations such as the Countryside Alliance need to work with the Montgomery County’s Office of Economic Development to keep agriculture in the Ag Reserve! This preserves our green space and helps farmers farm their land instead of selling it.
District 11. G14 I believe the ICC is a dated project which has been made less relevant by the county's stated goal of livable, walkable, transit-oriented communities. Because new freeways almost always create new development around them, over time they inevitably end up crowded and congested, resulting in no net improvement to congestion and inducing new sprawl. Rather than focus on building roads, I will focus on making existing communities more efficient and livable by focusing on providing core infrastructure like schools and transit to serve growing population density.
Our high-density urban areas can be well served by a mix of rail and bus transit, bikeways and
pedestrian friendly streets. Our rural areas can be served by a rural roadways and commuter rail and bus service.
1. H99 I very strongly oppose building a Tech Way through the Ag Reserve. The Ag Reserve is one of the most precious resources we have and I will do whatever it takes to preserve it. It would be a far better use of scarce public resources to make a true commitment to mass transit. It is the key to smart growth, curbing sprawl, and deterring the threat to our dwindling supply of green, open space. This is why I am a supporter of the Purple Line and the CCT; fought to save Ride-On when cuts were on the table; proposed to the Governor that Rockville Pike be designated a “Sustainable Transportation Corridor” after a concept/law advanced in Oregon; and have worked hard on behalf of creating a county-wide bus rapid transit system.
2. H99 The question seems premised on the assumption that bottled water is better than tap. Based on the current literature, studies dispute that premise. Store bought water is actually less regulated than tap water and far less is known about the quality of bottled water. I would like to see better regulation of bottled water so that we can know where the water comes from, what testing has been done on the water and greater disclosure of these testing results.
The WSSC is required to issue public reports about the testing they conduct and the results of those tests. WSSC has never had any violations of the water quality standards set by the USEPA and they have added, as a precaution, UV disinfection at both of our water treatment plants.
2. G14 Bottled water is no safer than tap water – approximately a quarter of bottled water sold comes straight from municipal sources. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is required to follow strict state and federal water quality standards and to publish an annual report on the sources of and contaminants found in its water. These rules do not apply to bottled water manufacturers.
WSSC must continue to meet the high state and federal standards which have been set. I support funding to maintain and replace our municipal water system in good repair, providing sufficient treatment capacity and safe distribution pipes.
3 . G14 Yes. A beverage container deposit law incentivizes recycling at a very low cost to the end consumer. Studies have demonstrated that the eleven states with bottle deposit laws recycle more than states without. The Solid Waste Division of DEP has a very successful recycling program. We need to continue to incentivize people and businesses to recycle and find markets for our recycled material. In theory, I would support such a law at the county level, or similar state action but would want to make sure that we have a place to send our collected recyclables.
3. H99 Baltimore City just passed a bottle “tax’ to raise revenues, which critics believe should have been a deposit law. Across the country, deposit laws seem to be in retreat. In my view, issues of this nature are much better addressed at the state level so that local governments are not seen as putting local businesses at a competitive disadvantage, particularly at this moment in time. We certainly need to look at this issue again however in the future (Montgomery County had such a law once upon a time), and its potential applicability to plastic bottles, which are among the worst offenders in terms of litter.
4. H99 I would favor increasing the fines for violations of our laws, which would provide additional resources for enforcement as well as greater disincentives to violate the law. Much of the enforcement of our environmental laws comes through our Department of Permitting Services and the M-NCPPC. As we have increased the requirements to protect the environment, we have not adequately provided for increased training for our County personnel. I would support revamping our training requirements so that not only can the letter of the law be followed but best practices can be as well. In storm water protection, sediment control, infill development and other areas, a better understanding of best practices can make a significant difference in ensuring not only the enforcement of our laws but also improvements for our environment. Finally, the Council must exercise its oversight responsibilities more effectively and ensure that our laws are being properly enforced.
4. G14 I am generally skeptical about creating dedicated funding for any purpose as it limits the fiscal options of the Council. I support robust enforcement of all our laws, including environmental laws, and will ensure that the county's enforcement and inspection teams have the resources they need to perform their mission. This is particularly relevant as we look to consolidate the Park Police and the general police force. Park stewardship and enforcement of park rules and regulations must continue to be a priority if we are going to be able to maintain our outstanding park system.
5. G14 Thirty years ago, county leadership had the vision to create the Agricultural Reserve that protects 30 percent of county lands. Today, we have a growing population that will need more housing, schools, and jobs, not to mention better parks and recreation options. The challenge is to evolve in a way that preserves our green spaces and neighborhoods, and enhances our quality of life.
To accommodate this we need a comprehensive, countywide strategy that focuses on redevelopment around transit hubs. Workforce location and affordable housing needs to be part of that redevelopment strategy. By encouraging more housing stock at a variety of price points- apartments, townhomes, etcetera - we can better meet the needs of today’s workforce as well as the workforce we anticipate in the future. By concentrating our development in the county's urban area we can grow while limiting sprawl and preserving our open spaces and the Agricultural Reserve.
5. H99 First, we need to strengthen our forest conservation laws. Under the law today, forests and wooded areas can be lost to development too easily without any mitigation requirement. Fairfax County, for example, requires 105% mitigation. We can do better and this is an issue that I have worked hard on. We also need to perfect our TDR program so that owners of farmland are provided fair value to retain rather than develop their raw land. Finally, when resources permit, we need to more fully fund our Legacy Open Space program.
Because developable land is now scarce, we must continue to work hard to develop policies that promote smart, sustainable growth. Transit oriented, mixed-use development must be our focus. The White Flint Plan was a fine example of that type of development. Our goal should be to create more opportunities for development like this in the eastern part of the County.
District 21. J62 "If you are in favor of the ICC can we assume you will favor building the Techway through the Ag Reserve?" No, such an assumption would be incorrect. If not, why are these same arguments invalid? The Agricultural Reserve was set aside thirty years ago to preserve open and green space in the County. Conversely, the ICC was put on the books 50 years ago to help improve east/west traffic in the County. Supporting a project in the planning stages for half a century is a far different proposition than supporting a new project through the precious resource of the Agricultural Reserve. That said, the ICC is currently being built and it does not serve anyone’s interest to keep having the same argument about whether or not it was a good idea. As for new projects, I would prioritize new transit projects such as Bus Rapid Transit or the Corridor Cities Transitway.
1. K27 The money used to build the ICC could have expanded local roads and improved inter-
sections; it could also have been used for better transit options such as the Purple Line or
eventually the CCT or the BRT. There could be Express buses used to travel to the airports
or Van pools for large companies with many travelers. If all the local roads are over crowded,
commuters will take more time to get to the ICC and will not save travel time ultimately. The
county could also build more Park ‘n’ Ride lots at the borders with Frederick and Howard
Counties and utilize Express buses such as those used in Howard County that travel to
Baltimore or DC.
2. K27 Cities could employ a system such as that used by New York City for much of its drinking water, Natural filtration along upper state waterways, and control of runoff from impervious surfaces and farming sources, along with rigorous monitoring, have allowed NYC to get a waiver from the EPA for its drinking water. Aside from chlorination, much of the city water does not require treatments but relies on the distances traveled from the sources to the city to assist in removing impurities. This practice, coupled with restrictions on farming and additional development in sensitive areas has allowed the water to be in a good state.
2. J62 Tap water is, in most cases, already cleaner than most bottled water. The goal for the County Council will be to maintain that high quality. First, the County needs to improve oversight of WSSC as it continues its long term efforts to refurbish our water and sewage system. Second,
the County needs to get in front of water quality issues including in Clarksburg, where a critical
water quality report was kept from the public and appropriate measures were not taken to protect drinking water. Third, the County Council needs to maintain the Water Quality Protection Fund, which helps pay for stormwater and water quality management.
3. J62 Yes, I have supported bottle deposit bills in the past. Over ten states already have successful programs and there is no reason Maryland should not join their ranks. The laws have broad public support, prevent litter, and increase recycling. From a seat on the County Council, I will continue to advocate for a statewide deposit bill program.
3. K27 YES
4. K27 a. Yes. b. Fines assessed for infractions would be dedicated to funding the enforcement services, but all should be in the same department. c. Create timetables of periodic scheduled and unannounced assessments of air, land and water quality measures in multiple locations and the relevant regulations and post names of violators. Repeat offenders should pay higher fines.
4. J62 The necessary work of environmental enforcement has faced the same budgetary pressures as the rest of County government. The first step must be to improve our County’s fiscal position by expanding the tax base and reviewing spending. Only once the County is on firm financial footing can we end the continuous cuts to important County programs and consider serious increases. That said, a clean environment is important to our quality of life and must continue to be a priority. One source of potential funding is permitting and I would support a review of current permitting fees to see if existing funds could be better allocated towards enforcement and what new fees could be appropriate.
5. J62 The County is “built out.” 47% is dedicated to the Agricultural Reserve and park land and must remain untouched. 49% is already developed. That means going forward County development will be focused on infill. Some progress has already been made with the new White Flint Sector Plan, but more must be done to turn existing developed sprawl into more responsible development. A major component of that shift for the next County Council will be the new Zoning Code, which must emphasize appropriate infill development and sustainability. Unlike the regularly updated biennial growth policy, the Zoning Code rewrite is a once in a generation opportunity to set County development priorities and limits. The Council must actively “ride herd” over the Planning Board, ensuring that they are considering appropriate priorities and receiving broad input from the community, as they shepherd the rewrite draft. The Council then must give it careful consideration before approving it.
5. K27 The regulations that created the Ag Reserve and some of our Open Spaces unfortunately have many loop holes. They should be re-examined and reviewed to remove less than clear phrases which have permitted some dubious interpretations of permitting. Land trusts and increased uses for Building Lot Termination’s should be encouraged.
State Race Questions
1. What legitimate roles do you think that government has in the management of industrial poultry/pork farm operations? Please be as specific as possible.
2. How can we best preserve Montgomery County's dwindling open space and keep wooded areas and farms from being converted into housing and other developed areas?
3. Describe in detail what should be done with the radioactive waste from nuclear electric plants in Maryland? What steps should Maryland take to assure that other states permit the passage of the waste to its final resting place? Should Maryland permit the transportation of other states' waste
through Maryland?
4. Do you favor new toll lanes on the Beltway like those being built in Fairfax County near Tyson's Corner?
5. Despite the extensive availability of taxpayer-funded curbside recycling programs, beverage containers litter our roadsides, streets, river banks, and other spaces. Do you support a beverage-container deposit
law?
6. Do you favor increasing the funding dedicated to the enforcement of environmental laws? If so, how would you raise those funds? Also, what steps would you take to make sure the laws were being enforced?
District 14 Senate
Karen Montgomery
1. I believe the State Government needs to limit the number of animals in any given area, limit the amount of antibiotics given, inspect industrial farms regularly to determine if animals are
confined in movement limiting spaces, determine the security and structural soundness of
manure pits and encourage electric generation from the manure and then compost the resulting
mass into usable soil additives. This is being done at Mason Dixon Farm . Caveat—“you need
S---and lots of S--- to generate electricity”, However, the animals of that farm produce enough
manure and subsequently electricity, to power a several thousand acre farm and still sell
electricity back to the system.
2. Toughen zoning laws and increase penalties for violations, encourage farmers to sublease parts of their farms to those who are trained and willing to produce organic food for the surrounding area, increase density and height for areas at public transportation nodes with all amenities and jobs avoiding car transportation as much as possible. Encourage those with huge lawns to start producing food for their families.
3. We need to re-introduce the step- down programs that was stopped
by President Carter in exchange for a treaty with Russia. If each state had to deal with its
own radioactive waste, it would either shut down nuclear electric production or the problem of
disposal or re-use would be solved.
4. I do not favor any expansion of the road until we implement and expand our public transportation; for example, the 270 corridor between Frederick and the Montgomery County suburbs with continuation into Washington DC and the Purple Line connecting the University of Maryland to NIH.
5. Yes. This will provide for cleaner communities and may actually encourage children and some adults to pick up the containers to redeem them.
District 14 House of Delegates
1. T81 Government has a responsibility to protect the best interests of the citizens of our great state. Regulating poultry/pork farm operations is a necessary part of that function.
Runoff from farming operations impact the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and the state
needs to do all it can to protect the health of the bay.
1. U34 Government intervention becomes necessary where CAFO-like industrial poultry/pork
farm operations lead to degradation of water bodies. Action begins with State insistence
on enforcement of laws such as the Clean Water Act. State departments of environment
should also offer outreach services to farms for optimum ways and means to process
and dispose organic waste. As the founder of WeGreen MD, a grassroots
environmental protection and energy waste reduction group, I will be watching the
issues arising from the Perdue/Hudson Farms type incidents very closely.
1. V51 I believe that the government should assist with environmental regulations. I am proud of my recent endorsement from the Sierra Club which demonstrates my balanced approach between growth and conservation.
1. W15 I think the government should play a large role in regulating factory farms. Given the impact of runoff from such farms on the Chesapeake Bay, it will be impossible to substantially improve the health of the Bay without strong regulation. However, given the marginal nature of the individual farmers’ operations, I believe the state should begin looking into ways to require the large agribusiness corporations to pay for improvements to these farms. Perdue and Tyson are significantly more capable of, and should be held responsible for, paying for improvements to individual farms that would limit runoff. In the long-term, however, I believe state agricultural policy should shift so that small-scale, organic farming is prioritized over large factory farms. Maine, for example, recently passed a law that allows small-scale poultry producers to sell their product more easily to consumers. Similar effort should be made here in Maryland.
2. U34 Montgomery County does have several programs and zoning laws that preserve open
spaces and wooded areas. Agricultural preservation, federal/state/local parks, and
various easements are protecting almost 50 percent of the County. However, as the
population grows, pressure on land and green spaces is bound to increase. Smart
Growth remains the answer. Relatively dense clusters of residential, and business/retail
developments around public transportation hubs, would reduce suburban sprawl.
2. V51 I believe that we need to preserve open space. Although development will continue to occur, I believe that we need to make sure that our agricultural reserve is protected.
2. W15 Preservation of open space is really a two-sided problem. On the one hand, it is we need to fully fund programs such as Program Open Space and the Maryland Environmental Trust. On the other, we need to overhaul state programs that prevent sprawl. Recent academic studies suggest that the anti-sprawl efforts passed during the late 1990s, which I advocated for at the time as an activist with the Maryland Sierra Club, have had little effect. It is time to revisit those efforts and build a legal and regulatory framework that more effectively limits sprawl. I also think one of the keys in limiting sprawl lies in a shift in our transportation priorities from road-based transportation towards mass transit, walking, and biking. Highway construction is in effect a massive subsidy for sprawl, and a new emphasis on transit that allows for transit-oriented development will help limit sprawl.
2. T81 We must do all we can, as I have over the past eight years, to promote smart-growth
strategies that focus on preserving our green spaces, promoting public transportation
and protecting our valuable natural resources. Additionally, we need to support our
local farmers so they do not want to sell their farms.
3. V51 It is important to keep any waste and transportation of waste separate from populated centers. The state has a vested interest to ensure that Marylanders health and safety is a number one priority.
3. W15 First, let me say that I oppose expansion of nuclear power in Maryland. I believe that we need to meet our energy needs through expansion of the use of wind, solar, and geothermal power and through energy efficiency. I believe that transportation of radioactive waste presents a clear and unacceptable risk and Maryland would prefer storage onsite at nuclear power plants as is currently done. However, should the federal government implement a centralized location for radioactive waste storage such as that proposed for Yucca Mountain in Nevada, Maryland needs to strictly limit transportation of nuclear waste. At the very least, such limits should include a ban on transportation of waste from other states and should bar such waste from being transported in close proximity to major population centers.
3. T81 Maryland should do all it can to ensure that it follows best practices and safely and
securely deals with nuclear waste.
3. U34 Most Low Level Waste (LLW) contains small amounts of mostly short-lived radioactivity.
Some high activity LLW requires shielding during handling and transport but most LLW
is suitable for shallow land burial. LLW should be transported to sites in Nevada, Utah
and Washington states where facilities accept this type of waste. The method of
transport should be by truck and/or rail via the appropriate special containers approved
by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Until a national geological repository for
High Level Waste (HLW) is a viable option, this type of waste must be stored at the
nuclear plant site in dry cask storage after having being cooled in a spent fuel pool for at
least one year. All States should cooperate with each other in the responsible handling
of radioactive waste.
4. W15 I oppose the construction of new lanes on the Beltway, I-270, and I-95, although I am not opposed to the conversion of existing lanes to toll lanes. Our congestion challenges will be better met by constructing new rail on the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway, extension of the Green Line to BWI, and support for local bus rapid transit networks.
4. T81 We must do all we can to react to the growing needs of our communities by embracing
smart-growth policies and respecting and protecting our natural resources. However,
I’m afraid the toll lanes do little to reduce traffic, do not promote transit and ultimately,
exclude the working poor.
4. U34 Yes. The variance of toll rates depending on time of day, number of occupants, and
congestion on the road would clearly help to spread out the traffic more evenly. Also,
the proposal that an HOV of 3 or more would travel free on the toll lane, will encourage
ride-sharing. But, I favor new roads or widening existing roads only after a public
transportation option is deemed not viable.
4. V51 From my understanding no tolls will be added to any existing lanes of the beltway to meet federal guidelines. I support this position.
5. T81 I do support such a law. Additionally, I support the state’s efforts to educate and inform
our friends and neighbors as to the benefits of recycling and to the dangers to wildlife as
well as to our quality of life if recycling practices are not followed.
5. U34 Yes. Bottle bills have worked effectively in Canada, Germany, the Nordic countries, and
Australia. There is no reason why they will not work in the U.S. It has been observed
that even if some people still continue to throw bottles around, there are others who
collect them and redeem the deposit. It all results in much better reuse and recycling of
beverage containers, and reduction of littering.
5. V51 I would have to see the legislation in its drafted form. I do believe that people need to take a proactive role in ensuring that we have a cleaner environment. This legislation could help to hold people more accountable while protecting the environment at the same time.
5. W15 I support a deposit law, and have been continually disappointed by Maryland’s failure to pass such a law. Given that a deposit law can bring in needed revenue, the current fiscal crisis may present the best opportunity we have seen in years to pass such a bill. In addition, I think we need to limit waste and litter through creation of a plastic bag tax and a ban on the use of styrofoam carry-out containers.
District 15 House of Delegates
1. X32 I support humane animal treatment legislation.
1. Y67 First and foremost, state government has a responsibility to provide adequate regulatory oversight over such operations to ensure that runoff pollution levels to the Chesapeake Bay do not rise beyond specified acceptable limits. Protection of the Bay must at all
times be a high priority for our State and Local Governments. We must also provide an
adequate enforcement regime to accomplish this goal. On the other hand, to the extent
it becomes economically viable to convert chicken waste to a renewable energy source at
some point, Government should begin to provide appropriate incentives to the industry to
move in that direction.
2. Y67 The 90,000 Agricultural Reserve lies in my legislative district so this is an issue that
is extremely important to me. Adequate funding for the Maryland Agricultural Land
Preservation Foundation (MALPF) and Program Open Space are clearly essential. We
must also continue to make periodic changes to MALPF to ease the administrative
burdens associated with the program. Finally, we must alleviate the estate tax burden
on farmers through reforms to our estate tax laws so that it is economically feasible for
farmers to pass their family farms on to their children.
2. X32 I will protect the Ag Reserve by making it more difficult for overzealous developers to circumvent state defines land preservation areas.
3. X32 It is at times a necessary, however at the legislative level. I will fight to make sure that this is handled as safely as possible.
3. Y67 This is an area that I frankly do not have sufficient knowledge or expertise to set forth a
comprehensive, well-informed response.
4. Y67 Undecided.
4. X32Yes, but I would create a stack of alternative transit options with light rail and rapid bus transit, not the widening of the 270.
5. X32 Yes, other states who already do this have increased recycling revenue and cleaner environments as a result of these programs.
5. Y67 Yes.
District 16 Senate
Brian Frosh (unopposed)
1. CAFOs are a major source of nutrient pollution of the Chesapeake. They should be regulated by Maryland. Federal protections have, so far, proved ineffective.
2. The Agricultural Preserve must be protected. Smart Growth, forest conservation, and cluster development should be required. Transfer of development rights to areas near transportation hubs, like Metro stops, should be incentivized.
3. There is no adequate, safe solution for nuclear waste disposal currently.
4. No. I oppose new lanes for the Beltway.
5. Yes.
District 16 House of Delegates
1. Z95 The government has a role in managing the waste and waste bi-products of
poultry/pork farm operations. Waste from these operations causes damage to our
environment and other economic industries such as fishing in the Chesapeake
Bay. Government also has a role in ensuring that products from these farms are
safe for human consumption and do not use growth hormones and chemicals
that can potentially harm our human population.
1. G75 To regulate and control runoff into our streams leading to the Bay and stop nutrient and pollution accumulation. Also, the Dept. of Agriculture can provide subsidies, training and education in organic options for fertilizer.
1. H18 Our government has both the right and the responsibility to regulate such
industries, and should establish such regulations as necessary to protect the
environment and establish humane living conditions for all livestock raised within
the state. As a state, we need to establish new and improved environmental
standards for the wastewater management of all agricultural operations within
the state, while simultaneously levying a tax (which is gradually increased from
year to year) against all farms that fail to meet such standards. We also need to
pass legislation similar to that recently passed in California (AB1437) that would
require livestock and poultry farmers to provide humane living conditions for their
animals.
1. J63 State government should regulate such operations to the extent required to reduce environmental contamination and pollution emanating from such operations. To facilitate the changes in operations which will result from such regulation, the State should adopt a financing program (in the nature of a revolving loan program) that will assist farmers in financing the changes required by such necessary regulation.
1. K92 State and local government must take the lead in establishing new and better standards to reduce farm run-off via legislation to assist in implementation and better enforcement of these
standards, increased penalties for egregious, intentional non compliance and violations,
educate farmers in best management practices, provide tax incentives, and increased funding
and incentives for the development of green and emerging innovative technologies to reduce
run-off.
1. L21 The state can and should take any steps necessary to ensure the health, safety and environmental quality of agribusiness in Maryland.
1. M56 While the government (USDA) must ensure that pork products are safe for consumers, it is equally important for the EPA and Maryland DEP to ensure that the operation of these farms to not adversely affect our environment. Unfortunately, the government has not been as successful in the latter, which is why the EPA recently strengthened existing regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations as part of its comprehensive effort to address water-quality concerns in the Chesapeake Bay:
http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/civil/initiatives/chesapeake-strategy-enforcement.pdf
2. G75 My family has fought, alongside the Montgomery County Chapter of the Sierra Club, to stop workforce housing in North Bethesda intrude upon a grove of old and unique trees on county land. The grove is adjacent to a high school, and can be used to instruct on the importance of ecological balance and green space in fighting global warming. Ultimately, there is only 10% green space in North Bethesda and this is below the planned limit. Housing is better provided nearby in the White Flint area where density and smart growth around the metro sector is the idea. I favor legislation through our bi county committees to better empower the MNCPPC to take over or designate such land for preservation.
2. H18 Like many states, Maryland is becoming a land of sprawling suburban
communities, big box stores, and strip malls. This trend is a threat to our
environment, our culture, and our resources. Therefore, it’s imperative that
we establish a long-term development plan for the state which protects low
density areas (including farmland and open spaces) from further development
while simultaneously promoting vertical growth in high density areas, clean and
efficient public transportation throughout the state, and an environmentally-
friendly infrastructure necessary to support our state and its growing population.
2. J63 First, we must protect the Agricultural Preserve in Montgomery County. Second, we should implement "smart growth" principles. While implementing land use policies is not within the scope of a Delegate's work, as a Delegate I will work to bring resources to Montgomery County, and the 16th District in particular, that will enable the development and enhancement of transportation and other infrastructure that will encourage smart growth development to occur.
2. K92 How can we best preserve Montgomery County's dwindling open space and keep
wooded areas and farms from being converted into housing and other developed areas?
I have and will continue to support legislation to establish programs to preserve farms, adequate
funding for the Agricultural Land Preservation Fund and nutrient management practices, provide
incentives for reducing farm run-off, providing tax credits and other measures to allow the heirs
of farm owners to continue farm operations.
2. L21 Zoning and Program Open Space should be utilized to preserve open space and avoid sprawl.
2. M56 In order to preserve our few remaining green spaces, our government needs to fully fund land conservation efforts like Project Open Space. At the same time, we need to prioritize smart growth development and more public transportation to help curb urban sprawl. Such efforts should include implementation of the Purple Line, Cross Cities Transitway (CCT) and further improvement to METRO.
2. Z95 We should incentivize smart, sustainable growth in our state. We can also enact
legislation that protects our wooded areas and open space, which are essential
to preserving the natural beauty and resources of Maryland that make our state
the best place to live in the country.
3. H18 The two best solutions to this problem are recycling/reprocessing the waste or
deep geological burial. Recycling spent fuel remains an expensive solution, and
Maryland is too densely populated an area to be a reasonable candidate for deep
geological disposal. Since other states are faced with the same problems, we
need a national solution for nuclear waste disposal, be it nuclear waste recycling
plants or an isolated disposal facility such as Yukka Mountain. Furthermore,
without local solutions for nuclear waste disposal, Maryland and our sister states
need to work together to develop legislation that will ensure any transportation
of nuclear waste is done using safe and reliable means. In my opinion, the best
solution would be to create a vast network of pipelines throughout the country
connecting all nuclear power plants with several reprocessing plants, and
sending the waste from point to point using secured containers sent through the
pipelines.
3. J63 I should make it clear that I am not an expert concerning this very complicated and technical matter. However, I generally believe that Maryland should adopt regulations that will effectively protect the health and safety of our citizens that are consistent with current Federal preemption doctrines concerning the transport of low level and high level nuclear waste. It also seems to me that in connection with the passage of Maryland-produced waste through other states, and visa versa, principles of reciprocity should apply.
3. K92 We must ensure and increase the enforcement of the Maryland Department of Environment’s standards and compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations and standards.
The state must work with federal government and Congress to produce better comprehensive
waste management and transport legislation, regulations, standards and plans to ensure
effective enforcement, compliance, and consistency, including better coordination and
cooperation between states. We must also work with the Governor to ensure in the budget
there is adequate funding for staff and enforcement activities.
Should Maryland permit the transportation of other states' waste through Maryland?
Currently the Maryland Department of the Environment oversees the regulation of waste
management facilities and has a solid waste program and hazardous waste program. The
U.S. Department of Transportation also has some responsibilities over hazardous waste
transportation. To proactively protect the public health, environment, and communities, we
need to ensure that entities and companies that are transporting waste and/or conducting waste disposal strictly comply with MDE and federal regulations.
3. L21 Nuclear waste must be managed as a federal matter by the federal government.
3. M56 Unfortunately, the problem of nuclear waste disposal is still unresolved. With the backlog of nuclear waste, the federal government took responsibility away from the industry, and focused on making Yucca Mountain as the ultimate repository, which it has since decided to abandon. As a result, Maryland is working with its neighbors to address this issue through the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. But, the more effective answer it to focus on renewable and reusable energy sources such as solar and wind power, which will also bring high paying jobs to Maryland.
3. Z95 I do not know enough about this issue to answer it in detail. I do know that
whatever we do with the waste we need to make sure that it is dealt with in a
safe way. I look forward to working with groups like the Montgomery County
Green Dems to learn more.
3. G75 I favor an interstate compact with reciprocity. As for the ultimate location, that requires coordination with federal authorities to insure proper containment, inspection and fines for leakages. If there are alternative usages from breaking down the waste, this would also require federal intervention and supervision. This interstate transportation preempts state jurisdiction (and limited resources) and involves serious questions of public health and environmental protection.
4. J63 No. The reason is that I am generally opposed to significant investment in new highways and prefer to make new investments in transit-oriented transportation solutions. New highway investment will not, in the long run, lead to less congestion - in fact it may only lead to more. Further evidence of the consistency of my position on this may be found in my responses to the Questionnaire of the Action Committee for Transit, which can be found on its website.
4. K92 I do not believe we should be building new toll roads at this time. Instead, we should be
increasing mass transit and funding for mass transit projects like the Purple and the Corridor
Cities Transit Ways. Greater investment in mass transit will help cut down on the number of
vehicles on the road, travel time, congestion, and pollution. We need to also ensure Maryland,
along with DC and Virginia maintain their local and annual committed allotments for Metro
repairs to make mass transit more efficient and safe. Any development should be Smart
Growth that occurs in more densely populated areas with access to transit to reduce sprawl,
traffic, and pollution.
4 L21 I have not evaluated the costs or benefits of any Virginia highway projects.
4. M56 More roads or the expansion of existing roads do not necessarily reduce traffic, and I-270 is one of the best examples of that. Therefore, while I would support converting existing lanes on the beltway into HOT lanes, I think our tax payer dollars could be used more wisely – implementation of the Purple Line, Cross Cities Transitway and further improvement to METRO.
4. Z95 No.
4. G75 I favor HOV lanes that encourage more carpooling. If money is being raised from this usage, I am open minded.
4. H18 While I would not object to such toll lanes, I believe we can do better and as
delegate I would strive to make sure that every major highway throughout
the state has “Green Lanes”. These Green Lanes would be made principally
available to low-emission vehicles, high occupancy vehicles, and public
transportation, and could be opened up to EZ-Pass traffic at an adjustable
toll rate designed to reflect current traffic conditions. Such lanes would
simultaneously alleviate congestion, promote the use of green vehicles and
public transportation, and raise tax revenue.
5. K92 Yes. Discharged beverage containers account for a great deal of the litter on our roads, water ways, and other spaces. An example of such a container deposit system would involve the
consumer paying a deposit, the deposit going to the Comptroller, and the consumer receiving
the deposit back when the container is returned. The center administering this program would
get a handling fee. The container deposit system may very well pay for itself via unclaimed
deposits, create more recycling and jobs, and help control litter.
5. L21 I am generally supportive of deposit laws.
5. M56 I strongly support a bottle bill. Eleven states already have similar measures on the books and continue to see the positive results. I will make it a priority to pass similar legislation in Maryland.
5. Z95 Yes.
5. G75 No question. Yes.
5. H18 Yes, and as a state delegate I will push for a beverage-container deposit law
with a rate of between 5¢-10¢. Such laws give consumers an incentive to act
responsibly, and reward individuals who pick up after those who haven’t acted
responsibly.
5. J63 While I am open to other points of view on this subject, I am skeptical that a beverage container deposit law will alleviate the litter problem identified. We need to expand recycling programs and enforcement efforts. If it was determined that more effective enforcement was not possible, or was ineffective, then I would give further consideration to the container deposit law proposal.
District 17 Senate
Cheryl Kagan
1. Industrial farming is a major source of environmental pollution; it’s hard on the
animals and the surrounding land. At the same time, large-scale agriculture is
an important part of the Maryland economy. Government has a legitimate role
in regulating industrial farming, just as it does every other part of the economy
that has a substantial impact on society. Animal waste must be handled in an
environmentally-sustainable way and other impacts of “factory farms”
moderated and controlled. I would encourage sustainable farming practices,
such as a transition to free-range and organic agriculture. After offering
extensive outreach, education and consultation, I would support gradually
making environmentally sustainable agricultural practices mandatory. As with
the transition from tobacco farms, the State should find ways of encouraging
and supporting farming practices that are healthier and more productive.
2. Montgomery County has been a national leader in farmland preservation
efforts. Beginning with its innovative Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
program in the 1980s, right through the seven separate programs now offered
to farmers who want to preserve their land, Montgomery County has succeeded
in keeping over a quarter of its acreage in farming even as its population has
grown rapidly. Montgomery County is also home to an extensive park system.
I would support maintaining and expanding on this admirable record.
3. Of course the best answer to radioactive waste is conversion to a renewable
energy economy; my home is 100-percent powered with wind. But considering
the danger of climate change and other environmental damage from fossil fuels
(as recently exemplified by the Gulf oil spill), I am not willing to rule out nuclear
power as part of the solution to our energy needs. At the same time, every
aspect of the process-- from mining to processing to disposal-- must be
carefully monitored, regulated and controlled. Recent thinking on nuclear
energy suggests that on-site disposal of waste may be the safest procedure.
Long-distance transportation of nuclear waste-- especially through populated
areas such as metropolitan Washington-- presents many potential perils, from
accidents to terrorism.
4. Regional transportation planning must strike a balance between aspiration and
reality, between long-term goals and short-term needs. The ideal would be a
metropolitan area in which everyone could use public transit for all their
personal and business needs. The reality is that for at least many years to
come, most Maryland residents will be primarily dependent on their cars. Tolls
are a reasonable way of ensuring that the users of a service (highway
transportation) are the ones paying for it, and of encouraging alternative modes
of transportation. But excessive tolls can price some working families out of
using what should be a public thoroughfare to work, school and recreation.
I testified on the subject of tolls on the ICC at a public hearing a
hearing that my opponent attended but at which she chose not to speak.
5. Despite some reasonable concern by retailers about taking on the new function
of redemption, bottle bill have worked well in other states, eliminating cans and
bottles along the roadside and even spawning a new small-scale redemption
industry.
District 17 House of Delegates
No responses. (Delegates unopposed)
District 18 House of Delegates
1. N68 Putting aside the moral ramifications of industrial farming for the sake of this
discussion, the government has the responsibility for maintaining health and
safety, which includes maintaining the environment that is contaminated by runoff
(manure rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, bacterial contaminants, etc.) from these
industries. We have a federal “zero discharge standard” for factory farms, but
the EPA regulations still allow for voluntary compliance. That is simply irresponsible
considering the behavior of these major polluters, who lobbied the General
Assembly last year to punish the University of Maryland’s Environmental Law Clinic.
1. P83 I believe the role of the State with regards to industrial
poultry/pork farm industry is to protect the welfare of all
Maryland consumers. To do so, the State must regulate,
monitor, and enforce for compliance of the state’s health,
safety and environmental standards. The State legislature
must continue to ensure that state agencies are effectively
implemented and monitored for compliance, regardless
of special interests representing the poultry/pork farm
industries.
1. Q19 I believe we need to crack down on industrial meat production in Maryland. Our
state has used a carrot/stick approach for many years, with little success. We need more
stick. We must provide the Attorney General with more law enforcement power to end
the wholesale dumping of chicken waste into our Bay. Instead of subsidizing factory-
farmers to do the right thing, we should require them to do the right thing.
1. R41 Insuring the safety of the food products being produced is the most important role government can play. It is the government's business whether the animals are healthy and the processing facilities are clean and sanitary. Regulation to ensure that the products are accurately labeled so consumers know what they're buying is another legitimate role. And regulating and enforcing runoff controls is a critical function - including water table contamination. What leaves the farm should do no harm.
2. P83 We must continue to invest state and local dollars in program
open space which buys private land and converts it to public-
owned open space, thus protecting diminishing open spaces
from over development and housing projects.
2. Q19 By saying no. This is similar to the chicken waste debate. Instead of prodding
developers to do the right thing, we should simply be clear (in statute) about where
housing can and cannot occur. It can occur in areas close to transit with existing
infrastructure. It cannot occur where it would destroy green space, valuable wooded
areas, or important agricultural resources.
If the counties—including Montgomery County—cannot crack down on sprawl
and overdevelopment, I support legislation that increases the state role. We must promote
smart, walkable, sustainable, transit-oriented development.
2. R41 Smart growth has got to be a priority in the region. And that can mean saying no to development if it's going to either adversely impact the existing infrastructure or deplete the remaining open space in the county. While zoning is a county-level concern, the state can help protect farmland through agricultural programs designed to help family and small farmers not only survive, but thrive.
2. N68 By maintaining and growing our educational effort through partnerships with
schools and businesses to make environmental protection part of the equation.
The defense of the Ag Reserve, the Green Business Certification Program,
the encouragement of recycling and the switch to reusable trays for school
lunches, are all examples of creating changes in the culture which will have lasting
repercussions. And, making sure the county has enough money through a revision of
our state tax system so that DEP can enforce the code.
3. Q19 I am very familiar with this difficult and complicated issue. High-level nuclear
waste produced in Maryland is stored on-site. This solution has essentially become
permanent, with dramatic investment in both safety and security since 9/11.
As a new father, I’d like nothing more than to ban the transport of other states’
nuclear waste through Maryland. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has held that the
Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution preempts such bans. Although other
states primarily store on-site as well, they are allowed to take waste through Maryland.
Instead, Maryland should institute a stringent permitting process. We must
regulate the time, place, and manner of nuclear transport through the state. We should
require advance notice of transport, the filing of a detailed safety plan, coordination with
the armed forces and law enforcement, and a defined route that avoids areas of density.
3. R41 The problem with radioactive waste is that any plans being made are too short-term. You cannot reasonably plan to safely store these wastes for time periods that range from centuries to millenia. A good business case can actually be made for disposing of these wastes on the moon - when you consider that $9 Billion was spent on Yucca Mountain before closing that project down, off-planet disposal is not unreasonable as a long-term solution.
As for transportation, it is not reasonable to expect other states to allow passage of our wastes through their states if we're not willing to offer the same.
3. N68 Waste should be dealt with as it is at the other nuclear plants throughout
the world, and transported to the eventual national depository. Such
actions already occur in Sweden and France, for instance, while in the US
there are a few regional centers but most states keep their waste close
at hand. As a nation looking for ways to wean ourselves off our fossil fuel
dependence, we should support a federal policy to rationalize this system.
3. P83 Yes. As a former Deputy Administrator of the agency,
formerly known as RSPA, at the US Department of
Transportation which is responsible for the Hazardous
Materials transportation program nationwide, I am very
confident that the transportation of nuclear waste across
state lines is well regulated and does not present any safety
hazards to the communities through which nuclear waste
is transported, as long as federal HAZMAT transportation
standards are respected and complied with.
4. R41 I'd prefer to find a way to have fewer cars on the Beltway. The problem isn't not enough road - it's too many cars with only one person in them. I'd like to look at innovative uses of technology to raise the average number of people per vehicle.
It is the case that cars moving at speed and spending less time on the road, rather than idling in traffic, waste less gas and cause less pollution. But I'm not convinced that more lanes wouldn't simply result in more lanes of gridlocked traffic. I don't particularly favor more lanes at this point - I'd prefer to see whether the idea actually works in Virginia first - and consider following suit if it does.
4. N68 No.
4. P83 Absolutely not! The lanes on the beltway have been built and
paid for over many years using tax payers’ funds and cannot
now be privatized nor commercialized for the benefit of the
private sector.
4. Q19 No. I do not support Beltway expansion.
5. N68 Yes. I would also like to see many more user-friendly, recognizable deposit
fixtures in major retail areas and the more urbanized neighborhoods. Tel-Aviv
has such a program (http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/travelbug15/2/
1248592238/recycling-art.jpg/tpod.html).
5. P83 Yes. I believe that other states and municipalities have
implemented effective programs and strategies regarding
beverage containers to reduce littering that Maryland must
learn from.
5. Q19 Yes. I also support additional enforcement of our commercial recycling
law, which has extremely low compliance relative to residential recycling.
5. R41 100% yes! I've experienced first-hand a transition from no deposit law to having one in place, and the decline in roadside litter was incredible. My response to business complaints that it can't be done, it's too burdensome / too expensive, we don't have the space, etc. is that I've *seen* it done, business seems to have survived just fine, and the law worked.
District 19 Senate
1. K94 Government and lawmakers have a responsibility to advance the public interest by regulating, legislating and overseeing hazardous materials that have any propensity to cause environmental degradation. In the case of poultry/pork farm operations, these can be particularly pernicious because waste products and fertilizer leach and run off into our watersheds and water tables. Stringent, mandatory nutrient management plans and best management practices are critical in limiting runoff. But lawmakers can and should intervene beyond these in such specific cases to ensure safe operations. For example, restoring funding to the University of Maryland Environmental Law Center, after it filed charges against a poultry farmer on the Eastern Shore. If we are truly going to make progress on waste runoff, having environmental lawyers be held hostage to a political process can not be allowed to occur in Maryland.
1. L35 State government has several critical roles – to protect humans, animals, and the
environment. For example, it must act strongly against Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
which contaminate our air, land, water, and food. These megafarms confine thousands of
pigs, dairy cattle, and poultry in small spaces, which are rapidly fattened for slaughter and fed
pharmaceuticals through feed, generating enormous volumes of fecal and biological waste
and other toxins that is stored in open lagoons and sprayed into the air. These megafarms
have caused health crises such as swine and bird flu, recalls of grocery products because of E-
coli bacterial contamination, concentrations of cancer, and massive fish kills from parasites.
Government also should: prohibit poultry feed containing arsenic; strictly regulate food
additives and antibiotics given to animals, pesticides, fertilizers, compost, soil conditioners, and
agricultural liming materials; require reporting of pesticide applications; control pollution runoff;
and prevent cruel and abusive treatment of animals.
2. L35 While land use tools such as zoning and cluster development (such as smart growth)
facilitate land preservation, they are not strong enough measures. The best thing we can do is
enact a constitutional amendment to prohibit development of the Agricultural Reserve. We should
also pursue government purchase of development rights and/or transfer of development rights to
purchasers who would use them to develop in areas meeting our smart growth model. Protection
through conservation easements and historic, heritage, or park designations are other options.
We also need to reform the Program Open Space law to curtail the use of such funds for
park-related development and indoor recreation facilities, as opposed to acquisition of natural land for preservation. Finally, we need to improve public notification of land use decisions that result in deforestation and development of open spaces and expand citizen, association, and advocacy group standing to object to such determinations.
2. K94 These are part zoning, part economic issues. From a zoning analysis, green space cannot be allowed to be rezoned to residential or commercial status, nor should impervious surfaces be allowed to replace natural surfaces. This also requires a commitment from state and local governments to seize every opportunity to purchase open space, to be held in trust for perpetuity. From an economic perspective, we need to create greater incentives for small and family-owned farms to remain profitable and sustainable in our state Two solutions to this are feasible: first, repeal the estate tax on bona-fide family-owned farms, so that children are not forced to sell farms to pay the estate taxes after the parent-owner dies; and second, advance organic agriculture measures to assist traditional farmers to transition to more lucrative, more environmentally-sustainable products and methods.
3. K94 Maryland must adopt stringent measures, as in several other states, to limit any new nuclear facility construction until a long-term waste solution can be found. Currently, all of Maryland's nuclear plants are regulated by the NRC, including the storage, transport and disposal of nuclear waste. High-level radioactive waste from reactors, and Low-level wastes from contaminated reactor items (e.g., tools and clothing) must be stored in a radioactive waste containers that are wholly separate from other waste, then transported to "temporary" storage facilities out of state. In no circumstance should either waste type be stored or disposed of in Maryland, and regional compacts must assure the transport of such waste to out-of-state facilities. Federal commerce law, in concert with several agencies, regulate such inter-state transport, and while such transport through our state is regrettable, Maryland must scrupulously monitor the safety of all such transports through our borders.
3. L35 Launch it into outer space. You may think I’m kidding but that is the only safe means
of disposing of the nuclear waste. No other option can guarantee against harmful effects to the
environment, accidents, theft, earthquakes, or terrorism. For this reason among others, I am
opposed to nuclear power. As long as we have nuclear power, I would neither allow other states
to transport their nuclear waste through Maryland nor ask other states to allow us to transport ours through their states. The safest option is to store the waste at the site of production. Each truck carrying nuclear waste could release more than 40 times the radiation released by the bombing of Hiroshima, making the risk of a transportation accident with a “mobile Chernobyl” too great for me to accept. The only alternative to that would be state reciprocity agreements, but that would not meet my concerns.
4. L35 No. Widening highways and adding toll lanes should not be knee-jerk reactions to traffic
problems, since they would be expensive and may not be a sustainable solution in the long-term.
Widening the beltway with toll lanes would displace residents, adversely impact parks and the
environment, force lower income residents to subsidize wealthier drivers who can afford the
tolls, increase traffic on the non-toll lanes and on the feeder roads, and fail to resolve the traffic
congestion problem in the long run.
For long-term, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly transportation solutions, we need
to promote mass transit and make it faster, cheaper, cleaner, and easier to use, adhere strictly to smart growth development to prevent sprawl, and provide incentives for telecommuting, flexible work weeks, the purchase of hybrid vehicles, and moving closer to one’s place of employment.
4. K94 It depends. I do not support widening the Beltway or 270, and prefer sustainable transit options, such as light rail, Bus Rapid Transit, and walkable/bikable communities grounded in transit-oriented development. However, if toll lanes can be effectively implemented without any additional asphalt or impervious surface footprint, I could support new toll lanes - particularly if there are incentives for smaller low-emission vehicles, and carpooling.
5. K94 Absolutely. In addition to the obvious green benefits of statewide beverage-container legislation, such legislation creates hundreds of green jobs by establishing local redemption centers. I strongly support deposit bills, and I will continue to do so next year in the State Senate.
5. L35 Yes. I believe the best way to effectively motivate people to recycle beverage containers
is to put money in their pockets. The State of Maryland, in conjunction with local governments,
should set up bottle retention centers and hire staff, which would create a significant number of
green jobs. If you consider that states with bottle-deposit laws recycle 2.5 times more than states without such laws and that Maryland spends $8 million per year on highway litter cleanup, it makes abundant economic and environmental sense to enact a container deposit law.
6. L35 As a start, we should increase the funding for environmental enforcement by dedicating
the revenue raised from civil penalties and fines for violating environmental laws. We should also
increase those penalties and fines to raise additional dedicated revenue. Other potential sources of revenue are pollution taxes, higher impact fees for sprawl development, and a corporate minimum alternative assessment.
We should expand citizen, association, and advocacy group standing to increase both
enforcement of, and deterrence against, violations of the environmental laws. In addition,
whistleblower protections should be strengthened to encourage reporting of environmental
violations and those violations should be made subject to the state’s False Claims Act.
I would also add criminal penalties for environmental violations, which are taken more
seriously by prosecutors and judges, and dedicate those funds to environmental enforcement as
well.
6. K94 No answer provided.
District 19 House of Delegates
1. S52 One role of government is to protect residents from use of unwarranted chemicals in farm operations, such as arsenic. Another way it serves this role is to protect the environment by setting achievable standards in policy to minimize the waste and pollutants from industrial farms. There is current legislation for these purposes except that enforcement is not consistent. There should be monitoring for compliance and litigation for breaking these laws.
1. T89 Government has the responsibility to require that industrial operations
mitigate the externalities of their production, which in this case is largely
comprised of runoff of chemical substances used in farming. While it's
important to make sure that the farming industry remains strong in
Maryland, it's also important make sure that the fertilizers, pesticides, and
refuse from farms don't pollute our watersheds. Farmers have made it
clear that they are not unwilling to improve their practices, but they cannot
just stop using manures and other fertilizers. So, the state's role has to be
to bring farmers and other polluters (waste treatment systems,
manufacturers) together and create a plan for every sector to scale back
its use of pollutants.
1. U23 It is a legitimate and important role for government to oversee poultry and pork farm operations’ compliance with environmental policies, such as the Clean Water Act, to promote the chemical, biological and physical integrity of natural resources. Industrial poultry and pork farm operations must exhibit sustainable environmental management, insomuch as soil conservation, reduction of air pollution, renewable resource use, manure management, and proper disposal of unwanted materials at animal feeding operations and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
1. V46 Commercial poultry farms contribute significantly to Bay pollution. Phosphorous
and nitrogen in poultry and pork waste is spread as manure on farmland and is
washed into the Bay. Government must strictly regulate poultry/pork waste
storage and its use as fertilizer.
1. W43 It is the legitimate role of government to do for the people what they cannot do for
themselves. In the context of industrial food operations that role involves protecting
workers, the public and the environment. With regard to workers, government has a
legitimate role in ensuring the health and safety of workers, and ensuring fair wage
protections. With regard to the public, the government has a legitimate role in ensuring that
the product being produced by the farm operations is safe and complies with governing
standards. With regard to the environment, the government has a legitimate role in
protecting the public from the harmful environmental costs of industrial food operations.
The government must ensure not only that the operations adhere to existing environmental
standards but also must ensure that standards stay current and effective in the face
scientific advances.
2. T89 One way to preserve open space is to promote smart growth - investing in
quality public transportation infrastructure and revitalizing city centers -
which will prevent the type of urban sprawl that poses a threat to open
spaces and wooded areas.
2. U23 Working together with local conservation groups, we can help the preservation and restoration of Montgomery County’s open spaces and wooded areas by limiting building permits to developed areas and designating open spaces and wooded areas as parks or in other legally protected ways for the benefit of future generations.
2. V46 • Protect the agricultural preserve from development
• Help Montgomery County’s farm community to be financially viable
• Direct future growth toward our transit centers
2. W43 I support programs like the Maryland Environmental Trust which uses conservation easements to protect land.
Since 2002, according to Partners for Open Space, over $480 million has been diverted from
Program Open Space; park operations have been cut by 46%; and staffing at the Maryland
Departments of Environment and Natural Resources are at an all-time low; land development
is currently outpacing land preservation, resulting in a loss of environmentally important
lands and much needed park and recreation areas; current reports identify a shortfall of $500
million to address existing needs for our hugely popular local parks and recreation facilities.
As Delegate, I will fight to make sure the legislature does not divert Program Open Space funds
from its intended purpose of land conservation. I will fight to cthe loophole that allows business
entities to avoid paying the real estate transfer tax and direct a portion of those new funds to
supplement the state park operating budget.
2. S52 The best way is to prevent open space land from being sold for the purposes of development. In order to accomplish this, the inheritance and property taxes on farmland and undeveloped land should allow for individuals and families to retain the land. By fully funding Project Open Space and restoring funding for the Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), this land could be purchased for public use. In addition, if the state provided incentives for local jurisdictions to prevent sprawl with “smart growth” or multi-use concentrated populated area around transit locations, then there would be a disincentive to develop lands which are outside those locations.
3. U23 Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants must be disposed of safely in an area that is protected and monitored around the clock in order to prevent exposure of radioactive materials to the American public and to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack. Maryland policymakers should work with other states to assure the passage of the waste by guaranteeing a secure and guarded containment means as well as a carefully planned itinerary for nuclear waste to pass through other states. Authorization of other states’ waste through Maryland will be analyzed on a case-specific basis, without frequency or regularity of waste transport, and only allowed if proper regulations and guidelines are maintained.
3. V46 Nuclear waste is an issue which is controlled by federal agencies and
regulations.
3. W43 The state should adopt a ban on construction of additional nuclear capacity unless the country has implemented a long-term solution for all radioactive waste that will be produced at a new plant. Illinois, California and Wisconsin have already adopted such laws. Maryland should
invest in energy efficiency programs and encourage the development of clean, renewable
energy sources. Transportation through our state concerns me and I would like to develop
disincentives to discourage this action.
3. S52 Radioactive waste should be put through the transmutation process to decrease the half-life for storage and the radio-activity levels. The end product of this process must then be placed in secure long-term storage containers designed specifically for this purpose. There is no ideal way at this point to store the containers and it is currently being done at the site. Ideally, in the near future, scientists will have implemented safe ways to recycle the by-products to create additional energy.
To nuclear waste across state lines, the Maryland Department of the Environment must work agencies from other states to assure that standards for containment and safe conveyance of the radioactive material are closely followed and monitored. This could include assigning this responsibility to a branch of state police who would support the transport. These standards would apply into and out of Maryland.
3. T89 It is essential that radioactive wastes be maintained properly and securely.
Finding that solution, however, will require significant investment in
research, because as of now, we don't have it. Keeping nuclear waste
where it is produced is very risky, but so is transporting it above ground
across state lines to other resting places. Ultimately, the answer will likely
be to find a way to safely reprocess the nuclear material to create further
energy, or to pursue alternative energy solutions that do not result in either
carbon emissions or toxic waste.
4. V46 I would not support converting existing lanes on the Beltway to toll. Proposals for
future expansion projects to existing lanes would have to be appropriately
justified.
4. W43 No, I am not in favor of these toll roads.
4. S52 As much as possible, I prefer to find transit solutions to traffic congestion. However, the HOV lanes on I-495 have been thoroughly studied and supported by the Montgomery County Council in its 10-year transportation plan signed in fall 2009. I would support making these lanes HOT, provided that they were free for 3 or more riders and the money collected from tolls were dedicated to the Transportation Trust Fund.
4. T89 On the one hand, making the toll lanes free for HOVs has the potential to
promote carpooling and decrease the overall amount of cars on the road,
which would be great. However, while governments expand infrastructure
in order to ease gridlock and traffic jams, expanded infrastructure has the
often-unforeseen effect of increasing adjacent development and making
superhighways even more crowded. Thus, I would support expansion of
public transportation systems (such as Metro, Metro Bus, and Ride On)
before I would support expansion of the Beltway, but I think that there
maybe some positive aspects of new toll lanes in terms of increasing
carpooling.
4. U23 I am in favor of the toll lanes like those in Fairfax County near Tyson’s Corner because they give the incentive of a free toll on an ostensibly less-crowded highway so that motorists will be aware of their vehicle’s effect on air pollution and to create better habits. By imploring motorists to ride in the car with three or more people, drive motorcycles, or take the bus, better air quality in the area could be more easily achieved.
5. W43 Bottle bills (also known as container deposit laws) are a proven, sustainable method of capturing beverage bottles and cans for recycling. The refund value of the container (usually 5 or 10 cents) provides a monetary incentive to return the container for recycling. I support exploring this option at the state level.
5. S52 I very much support efforts to increase recycling and reusing. While I would consider a beverage container deposit law, I am not sure that the infrastructure exists at this point to institute it in a way that would not be too burdensome on the consumers and small business at this point in time. I believe that we will have more information which would help to make this decision upon the completion of the study of recycling and waste reduction that was required by HB 982 passed in the 2010 session.
5. T89 I do; creating incentives to return containers has the potential to draw a
greater percentage of the population into the recycling process.
5. U23 I support incentives to reduce littering within our community and would support a beverage-container deposit law because of the environmental impact.
5. V46 I would be willing to consider a beverage-container deposit.
District 20 House of Delegates
Tom Hucker
1. Industrial farms pollute the Chesapeake and coastal Bays and their tributaries with chemical
and waste runoff, both of which can and should be heavily regulated and strictly enforced by the state. We have let them create enormous environmental damage for far too long. This year,
when Eastern Shore legislators led an effort to defund the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic because their law students had helped the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in a lawsuit against a Perdue contract farmer, I led the efforts in the House to bring environmentalists together with other lawmakers and the Speaker, which resulted in the restoration of funding for the Clinic.
I also am the lead sponsor of HB 953 to ban the use of arsenic compounds in animal feed.
Arsenicals are commonly used by nearly every chicken producer, adding some arsenic to
chicken meat and tremendous amounts of arsenic to chicken waste, where it ends up in the Bay and its fish and shellfish.
2. The General Assembly must continue to fully fund Program Open Space, the Maryland
Environmental Trust and the Rural Legacy Program. The Assembly must also insist that we
spend POS money on POS projects, rather than raiding it to balance the budget as Gov. Ehrlich
did. The County Council should consider additional incentives, such as property tax reductions, for preservation of farmland and rural areas.
3. Maryland should sign reciprocity agreements with other states for shipping of nuclear waste
so at least they have given permission for the transport. Care should be taken to avoid transit
through major population centers. I have been a consistent and strong opponent of future
nuclear energy plants (such as Calvert 3).
4. I do not support the widening of 495 to include new toll lanes, since expansion of existing roads inevitably leads to increased sprawl. I do support proposals to dedicate some already existing lanes to HOV and hybrid or electric vehicles, and I supported efforts to add SmartCars to the HOV lanes to Annapolis.
5. Yes, of course. Recycling rates are highest in bottle-deposit states. I am a vocal advocate for
and a cosponsor of the bottle deposit bill in the Assembly. I worked on numerous bottle deposit
campaigns in Massachusetts, DC, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I am also a vocal proponent
of plastic bag fees to reduce litter.
Heather Mizeur
1. Given their presence in such fragile, treasured natural areas on the Eastern
Shore, state government should play an important role in the management of
industrial poultry and pork operations, monitoring the safety of food products for
consumers and ensuring the protection of pristine environmental places. The state
should continue to seek adoption of measures to control runoff from poultry/pork
operations, and to pass measures that prohibit toxins from being added to food
products.
2. The most effective way to preserve Montgomery County’s open space is to
continue our commitment to implementation of smart growth policies. I am a strong
champion of smart growth priorities, and believe we must concentrate development
around existing communities and transit options. In doing so, we can prevent
sprawl and protect critical open spaces. At the state level, Project Open Space
(POS) must remain a top priority, and despite budget difficulties, we need to protect
POS funding as much as possible. Preserving Maryland’s character depends on it.
3. With construction of a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs moving closer to reality,
Maryland will have to seriously consider how it deals with the consequences of
additional nuclear power generation. While I am not yet familiar enough with
the care and disposal of our current nuclear waste to take a firm stance on its
transportation methods, I firmly believe any policy decision must first ensure the
safety and protection of Marylanders and the environment.
4. No, I am opposed to adding new lanes to the Beltway, because we cannot pave
our way out of gridlock. Adding more cars to our roadways – especially at a time
when Marylanders are driving less and opting for mass transit options – will only
increase traffic congestion over the long-term. We need to turn our focus towards
incentivizing transit options wherever possible, like building the Purple Line.
5. Despite the extensive availability of taxpayer-funded curbside recycling programs,
beverage containers litter our roadsides, streets, river banks, and other spaces. Do
you support a beverage-container deposit law?
Yes, I strongly support a beverage-container deposit law. Restoring and
protecting our pristine creeks and waterways depends on limiting pollution.
Establishing a beverage-container deposit law – which has proven successful
in other states – will incentivize all Marylanders to participate in environmental
protection.
District 39 Senate
Saqib Ali
1. Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium enter the Chesapeake Bay as a direct result of chicken and pig manure, and these chemicals are extraordinarily harmful to our cherished estuary. While I respect farmers’ needs to make a living, the protection of our bay must take precedence. As such, I believe very strongly in stricter regulation and restriction of poultry farms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
2. In order to preserve open space, we must do all that we can to work with our county partners to protect the 93,000 acre-large Agricultural Reserve. State and county government must work together to focus the planning process on smart growth and transit-oriented development. This will, in turn, leave more open space in other areas. Additionally, we must enact and maintain laws that put wooded areas off-limits to developers.
3. To the extent that it is necessary, I favor storing all of Maryland‘s nuclear waste in one location because it will be much easier to secure and monitor this waste if it is concentrated in one area. We need to ensure that we enter into strong agreements with other states and implement tough enforcement mechanisms to ensure that other states do not deposit their nuclear waste in Maryland. That said, I believe that over reliance on Nuclear energy production is the wrong solution. I would much prefer the use of renewable energies that don’t have the potential to cause major environmental damage (such as wind power, hydro-electricity and solar power) combined with much more intensive energy conservation.
4. I do not favor the creation of HOT (High Occupancy Toll Lanes) currently being constructed in Northern Virginia. They directly undercut and contradict our efforts to get people out of their cars and onto mass transit. I am also against HOT Lanes because I believe that HOT lanes will give wealthy commuters an unnecessary advantage.
5. I fully support a state-wide beverage-container deposit law, and believe it can positively impact the litter issues described above.
District 39 House of Delegates
Kirill Reznik
1. Because of the proven dangers to the Chesapeake Bay from far run-off, it is necessary for Maryland to provide regulatory oversight of the poultry and farming industry. I don’t believe that state government should be involved in the direct management of private farms.
2. The State of Maryland can and should provide incentives to holders of private open space, such as farms, to keep them going as viable and profitable businesses creating a disincentive for farmers to sell their land to developers. Government can also make sure that legislation and the ensuring regulation keeps Open Space as a priority, and should be at the forefront of preserving open land through direct or incentivized purchase to be able to maintain it as Open Space.
3. Disposal of nuclear waste is a serious concern and should be taken into account prior to large scale nuclear facilities beginning operation. Storage of material, which is currently the most used method today, is not a viable option. Shortage opportunities arelimited and communities for the most part do not want nuclear waste buried in their neighborhoods or even states. I favor resources being put into continued research that can explore the re-use of nuclear waste either through a transmutation or direct recycling. Some applications of both of these methods are in place, but being done at extremely low levels, so possibilities of such re-use exists.
4. At the moment, I see no use for such tolls other than to provide luxury lanes for those who can afford them, while leaving the rest of us stuck in traffic. I would prefer those resources placed into the need to expand Metro and mass transit throughout our region.
5. I do support a beverage-container deposit bill or bottle bill. However, attempts for these kinds of programs have been done in the past always with little success. If we do enact such a program my interest would be to do a thorough examination of the proposed implementation to make sure that if it is done, it is effective in removing beverage containers from landfills, as well as our streets and rivers, and is a financial benefit to the State and the recyclers rather than a financial drain.
Governor
J.P. Cusick
1. I believe that we do have an interest in preventing any unnecessary cruelties in the operations of any such facilities.
2. We can only do this by stopping the overwhelming greed growth being dumped into Montgomery County and all through Maryland.
3. Transport can be done safely, and we need to endorse the Nevada Yuca mountain facility for super long term and safe storage of nuclear
waste.
4. New roads and new lanes yes, but I do not support "toll ways" being new or old as we can do better than such usage taxings as tolls.
5. I say we surely can come up with some better ideas than ordering deposits, so as it is then I would not support this. Perhaps putting out public trash containers?
Federal Races
US Senate
1. Increasing the tax on motor fuel would cause people to use it less, but would have a disparate effect
(a) on people who lack access to public transportation, especially including people who live in smaller or agricultural communities,
(b) on the poor, and perhaps
(c) on seniors.
Describe a plan that would accommodate these competing considerations.
2. What plan do you propose to push the Chesapeake Bay towards greater health?
3. Do you favor increasing the funding dedicated to the enforcement of environmental laws? If so, how would you raise those funds? Also, what steps would you take to make sure the laws were being enforced?
4. Despite the extensive availability of taxpayer-funded curbside recycling programs, beverage containers litter our roadsides, streets, river banks, and other spaces. Do you support a beverage-container deposit law?
5. What steps would you take to lower our fossil fuel consumption?
Blaine Taylor
1. a, b, c; light rail, subways, and connector bus lines to both. I've owned and driven no car for 12 years; I ride the MTA.:)
2. Save the Bay: I will meet with all interested groups and individuals, and formulate a reasoned plan.
3a) Yes
3b) Tax alcohol
3c) Work with the Governor to use State and other police more.
4. Recycling bottles: Yes, but also encourage police to arrest more apprehended offenders AS they commit the crime, using already existing speed stops. Impose maximum fines first time, every time.
5. Fossil fuel consumption: Outlaw it, period. Build electric and water-fueled cars. Support mass transit at all levels.
Candidates Key
| Random Alphanumeric code | Candidate | Office |
| G14 | Iyala Hopkins | Council 1 |
| H99 | Roger Berliner | Council 1 |
| J 62 | Craig Rice | Council 2 |
| K 27 | Sharon Dooley | Council 2 |
| L28 | George Leventhal | Council At-Large |
| M42 | Nancy Floreen | Council At-Large |
| N36 | Marc Elrich | Council At-Large |
| P86 | Becky Wagner | Council At-Large |
| Q25 | Hans Riemer | Council At-Large |
| R57 | Jane DeWinter | Council At-Large |
| S 59 | Duchy Trachtenberg | Council At-Large |
| T81 | Anne Kaiser | Delegate 14 |
| U34 | Neeta Datt | Delegate 14 |
| V51 | Craig Zucker | Delegate 14 |
| W15 | Eric Luedtke | Delegate 14 |
| X32 | Lana Wibeto | Delegate 15 |
| Y67 | Brian Feldman | Delegate 15 |
| Z95 | Kyle Lierman | Delegate 16 |
| G75 | Charlie Chester | Delegate 16 |
| H18 | Peter Dennis | Delegate 16 |
| J63 | Mark Winston | Delegate 16 |
| K92 | Susan Lee | Delegate 16 |
| L21 | Bill Frick | Delegate 16 |
| M56 | Hrant Jamgochian | Delegate 16 |
| N68 | Dana Beyer | Delegate 18 |
| P83 | Ana Sol Gutierrez | Delegate 18 |
| Q19 | Jeff Waldstreicher | Delegate 18 |
| R41 | Mike Heney | Delegate 18 |
| S52 | Bonnie Cullison | Delegate 19 |
| T89 | Vivian Scretchen | Delegate 19 |
| U23 | Hoan Dang | Delegate 19 |
| V46 | Ben Kramer | Delegate 19 |
| W43 | Jay Hutchins | Delegate 19 |
| Heather Mizeur | Heather Mizeur | Delegate 20 |
| Kirill Reznik | Kirill Reznik | Delegate 39 |
| J.P. Cusick | J.P. Cusick | Governor |
|
|
|
| Karen Montgomery | Karen Montgomery | Senate 14 |
| Brian Frosh | Brian Frosh | Senate 16 |
Cheryl Kagan
| Cheryl Kagan
| Senate 17
|
| K94 | Roger Manno | Senate 19 |
| L35 | Mike Lenett | Senate 19 |
| Saqib Ali | Saqib Ali | Senate 39 |
| Blaine Taylor | Blaine Taylor | US Senate |
